Retail Jobs in Washington DC with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
Washington DC's retail sector spans Georgetown boutiques, Pentagon City mall anchors, and national brand flagships near the National Mall, creating steady demand for international talent. F-1 OPT candidates in retail find opportunities with employers like Macy's, Nordstrom, and specialty chains headquartered or operating extensively across the District, particularly in merchandise planning, buying, and operations roles.
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Be part of an amazing story
Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.
Job Overview
As an Administrative Support Team (AST) Colleague, you play a vital role in keeping the store running smoothly behind the scenes. You’ll support daily operations by maintaining an organized Store Management Office, handling administrative and human resources functions, and coordinating internal communications. From overseeing scheduling and managing cash office operations to facilitating the new hire onboarding process and supporting colleague engagement, your work enables store leadership and teams to focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
You’ll serve as a key point of contact for both store colleagues and leadership, acting as a liaison for HR-related matters, coordinating new hire paperwork, onboarding, and training sessions. Your role also includes maintaining store recognition programs, distributing reports, balancing the vault and supporting maintenance requests. With professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail, you help ensure a well-organized and supportive store environment.
How our Selling Colleagues spend their day…
- Our colleagues begin each day energized and ready to make an impact. They wear their name badge with pride, greet teammates with a warm hello, and help ensure the office is clean, organized, and prepared for colleagues and customers. Before getting started, they review their team priorities - so they’re fully informed and ready to engage, educate, and sell with confidence.
- On the floor, they focus on the customer - offering a warm welcome, making eye contact, and creating friendly, personal conversations to create customer relationships to bring the customers back.
- They always Finish Strong - ensuring every task is completed accurately and professionally, whether finalizing reports, supporting new hires, or wrapping up daily operations. They follow through with care, communicate clearly, and end each interaction - whether with colleagues, candidates, or partners - with a sincere thank-you and a personal touch.
- We believe service starts with each other - supporting one another with honesty, care, and collaboration so we can better serve our customers and communities.
- And we know that excellence is a journey - we strive to improve every day, take pride in our work, achieve sales goals and learn from each other to deliver individual and store results.
Full-time colleagues are typically scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week, while part-time colleagues are typically scheduled 12-24 hours per week. All schedules contain weekend shifts as part of the requirements. Hours are dependent on business needs and colleague availability. Information regarding hours per week needed for benefit eligibility purposes can be found here.
Who You Are
- Flexible availability, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays with regular, dependable attendance and punctuality
- Must be able to:
- Understand and communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, and supervisors
- Read and understand employment policies and safety rules/procedures in English
- Be comfortable communicating and collaborating with customers and colleagues
- Meeting daily sales goal challenges
- Enjoy meeting people, learning about them, and sharing information
- Resourceful and eager to start a new venture and can adapt to changing priorities; you can work on your own but are great with team dynamics
- You can handle electronic devices with no problem
- 1-2 years related experience required
Essential Physical Requirements You Will Perform
- This position requires talking, lifting, constant moving, standing, and reaching with arms and hands.
- Standing for at least two consecutive hours, lifting at least 25lbs, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders, reaching, including above eye level
- Requires close vision, color vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment
- Frequent use of computers and other technology, necessary to perform job functions, including handheld equipment, cash register and ability to process register transactions
What We Can Offer You
Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.
Some additional benefits we offer include:
- Merchandise discounts
- Performance-based incentives
- Annual merit review
- Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.
About us
This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.
Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - Apply Today!
This job description is not all-inclusive and may not apply to colleagues covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Macy's Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to an inclusive work environment.
STORES00
This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Additional benefit details are available at macysJOBS.com.

Be part of an amazing story
Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.
Job Overview
As an Administrative Support Team (AST) Colleague, you play a vital role in keeping the store running smoothly behind the scenes. You’ll support daily operations by maintaining an organized Store Management Office, handling administrative and human resources functions, and coordinating internal communications. From overseeing scheduling and managing cash office operations to facilitating the new hire onboarding process and supporting colleague engagement, your work enables store leadership and teams to focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
You’ll serve as a key point of contact for both store colleagues and leadership, acting as a liaison for HR-related matters, coordinating new hire paperwork, onboarding, and training sessions. Your role also includes maintaining store recognition programs, distributing reports, balancing the vault and supporting maintenance requests. With professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail, you help ensure a well-organized and supportive store environment.
How our Selling Colleagues spend their day…
- Our colleagues begin each day energized and ready to make an impact. They wear their name badge with pride, greet teammates with a warm hello, and help ensure the office is clean, organized, and prepared for colleagues and customers. Before getting started, they review their team priorities - so they’re fully informed and ready to engage, educate, and sell with confidence.
- On the floor, they focus on the customer - offering a warm welcome, making eye contact, and creating friendly, personal conversations to create customer relationships to bring the customers back.
- They always Finish Strong - ensuring every task is completed accurately and professionally, whether finalizing reports, supporting new hires, or wrapping up daily operations. They follow through with care, communicate clearly, and end each interaction - whether with colleagues, candidates, or partners - with a sincere thank-you and a personal touch.
- We believe service starts with each other - supporting one another with honesty, care, and collaboration so we can better serve our customers and communities.
- And we know that excellence is a journey - we strive to improve every day, take pride in our work, achieve sales goals and learn from each other to deliver individual and store results.
Full-time colleagues are typically scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week, while part-time colleagues are typically scheduled 12-24 hours per week. All schedules contain weekend shifts as part of the requirements. Hours are dependent on business needs and colleague availability. Information regarding hours per week needed for benefit eligibility purposes can be found here.
Who You Are
- Flexible availability, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays with regular, dependable attendance and punctuality
- Must be able to:
- Understand and communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, and supervisors
- Read and understand employment policies and safety rules/procedures in English
- Be comfortable communicating and collaborating with customers and colleagues
- Meeting daily sales goal challenges
- Enjoy meeting people, learning about them, and sharing information
- Resourceful and eager to start a new venture and can adapt to changing priorities; you can work on your own but are great with team dynamics
- You can handle electronic devices with no problem
- 1-2 years related experience required
Essential Physical Requirements You Will Perform
- This position requires talking, lifting, constant moving, standing, and reaching with arms and hands.
- Standing for at least two consecutive hours, lifting at least 25lbs, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders, reaching, including above eye level
- Requires close vision, color vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment
- Frequent use of computers and other technology, necessary to perform job functions, including handheld equipment, cash register and ability to process register transactions
What We Can Offer You
Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.
Some additional benefits we offer include:
- Merchandise discounts
- Performance-based incentives
- Annual merit review
- Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
Access the full menu of benefits offerings here.
About us
This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.
Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - Apply Today!
This job description is not all-inclusive and may not apply to colleagues covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Macy's Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to an inclusive work environment.
STORES00
This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Additional benefit details are available at macysJOBS.com.
Job Roles in Retail in Washington DC
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which retail companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Washington DC?
Large national retailers with a significant DC presence, including Nordstrom at Pentagon City, Macy's, and specialty chains like Anthropologie and Apple, have historically supported F-1 OPT workers in eligible roles. Corporate retail operations within the District, particularly those tied to buying, merchandising, and e-commerce functions, tend to be more active with OPT authorization than smaller independent shops.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most retail F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Pentagon City and Georgetown concentrate the highest density of national retail employers in the DC area, with CityCenter DC and the Gallery Place corridor offering additional opportunities. For roles with stronger sponsorship potential, positions tied to the corporate or operations side of retail in downtown DC tend to surface more frequently than purely floor-level positions at neighborhood shops.
What types of retail roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Roles that align with a degree field are the most defensible for OPT authorization. In retail, that typically means merchandise planning, inventory analysis, retail operations, supply chain coordination, and e-commerce management. Visual merchandising with a design degree and marketing roles tied to a business or communications background can also qualify. General sales associate positions rarely meet the degree-relatedness requirement for STEM or standard OPT.
How do I find retail F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, so you can search retail F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC directly without sorting through postings that won't consider your status. Filtering by the retail category and the DC area surfaces employers who have sponsored OPT workers before, which is far more efficient than applying broadly and asking about sponsorship after the fact.
Are there any DC-specific considerations for F-1 OPT retail sponsorship?
Washington DC's retail market is heavily influenced by its transient population of government workers, students, and international visitors, which drives demand for retail staff but doesn't automatically increase sponsorship willingness. Because DC lacks a large corporate retail headquarters presence compared to cities like New York or Seattle, most sponsorship activity comes from national chains operating stores locally. Students should prioritize roles with clear degree-relatedness to support their OPT authorization documentation.
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